19/06/2026

SPORTS FRIDAY | JUNE 19, 2026

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2026 WORLD CUP

Ghana leave it late

What we learned after the first round of games FROM Lionel Messi rolling back the years to full stadiums and a Cape Verde team that shocked Spain, here is what we learned after the first round of games at the World Cup: Messi’s still got it Lionel Messi’s World Cup odyssey appeared to reach its perfect climax in Qatar four years ago when he lifted the trophy. Or so we thought. As his 39th birthday approaches, the Argentina captain could not resist one last crack at football’s biggest prize and he produced a memorable hattrick in Kansas City. Messi’s goals against Algeria took him level with Miroslav Klose’s all-time World Cup record of 16 goals. France for ward Kylian Mbappe is two goals behind. No set of numbers can adequately sum up Messi’s genius, but they help tell the story of a man who continues to dazzle on the global stage. Against Austria on Tuesday, Messi has the chance to claim the record outright, fur ther strengthening his case as the greatest player the game has ever seen. Toothless Ronaldo Cristiano Ronaldo took centre stage in Portugal’s opening match against the Democratic Republic of Congo after three of football’s biggest stars lit up the first round of matches. Kylian Mbappe and Erling Haaland both scored twice as the race for the Golden Boot got off to a flying start, while Lionel Messi outshone them all with a hattrick. Saudi-based Ronaldo, however, was largely a bystander in the first match of his sixth World Cup as Portugal laboured to a 1-1 draw in Houston. The 41-year-old’s 25 touches were his fewest in a game at a major tournament for Portugal when playing the full match. Coach Roberto Martinez faces an unenviable deci sion over whether to drop a player who has enjoyed one of the most remarkable careers in the history of the game. Cape Verde make case for 48-team tournament Cape Verde goalkeeper Vozinha break ing down in tears as he was embraced by his teammates was one of the defining images of the opening round as the archipelago of just over 500,000 people shut down European champions Spain in a goalless draw. La Roja were expected to stroll to vic tory in Atlanta but came up against the inspired 40-year-old keeper and a nation determined to make a mark on their World Cup debut. In doing so Cape Verde also landed a blow to critics of the expanded 48 team tournament. Full stadiums despite costly tickets The sight of Levi’s Stadium in Santa Clara, which hosted the Super Bowl this year, packed to near-capacity for the meeting of Austria and Jordan on Wednesday – perhaps not the most glamorous fixture – proved that high ticket prices are not putting off specta tors at this World Cup. Fifa said the official attendance of 68,527 was part of the total 281,223 fans who passed through the turnstiles on Tuesday, surpassing the previous World Cup record for a single day of 277,070, Only four red cards were shown at each of the last two World Cups, in 2018 and 2022, in a notable decrease from previous tourna ments. It looked like we might be on course for a free-for-all flurry of sendings-off this time when three players were dismissed in the opening game as 10-man co-hosts Mexico beat nine-man South Africa 2-0. But it appears that performance from Brazilian official Wilton Sampaio has led to Fifa encour aging referees to be more prudent about reaching for the red. Not a single player was sent off in the next 23 games. – AFP established on June 28, 1994. Referees rein in red cards

LUIS DIAZ produced a match-win ning display with a goal and an assist as Colombia opened their 2026 World Cup campaign with a 3 1 victory over tournament debutants Uzbekistan at Mexico City’s Estadio Azteca yesterday. Backed by a crowd of 80,824 in Mexico City, Colombia had to work hard to see off a determined Uzbek side before Diaz’s quality ultimately proved decisive in the Group K encounter. The Bayern Munich forward was at the heart of Colombia’s best moments throughout the night, creating the opening goal for Daniel Munoz, restoring his team’s lead after Uzbekistan when Diaz floated a superb pass into the path of Munoz, who met it with a controlled volley beyond goalkeeper Utkir Yusupov. Uzbekistan, appearing at their first World Cup finals, refused to be intimidated and drew level in the 60th minute through Abbosbek Fayzullaev, who etched his name into the nation’s football history by scoring their maiden World Cup goal. The goal came after Colombia goalkeeper Camilo Vargas parried a fierce volley from captain Eldor Shomurodov, with Fayzullaev react ing quickest to head home the rebound and spark wild celebra tions among the Uzbek supporters. Any hopes of a famous result, however, were short-lived. Just six minutes later, Diaz restored Colombia’s advantage when he collected possession on the edge of the area and curled a low effort towards goal. G HANA COACH Carlos Queiroz hailed his players’ determination after Caleb Yirenkyi’s stoppage time strike secured a dramatic 1-0 victory over Panama in their opening World Cup Group L clash in Toronto yes terday. Just as the match appeared destined to end goalless, Yirenkyi bundled home in the fifth minute of added time to hand the Black Stars a priceless three points and leave Panama heartbroken. For Queiroz, who was appointed only in April following the dismissal of Otto Addo, the result was reward for the commitment shown by his players in a bruising contest. “Wins in this World Cup come at a high price,” the 73-year-old Portuguese coach said after the match. “The players showed they are ready to pay that price.” The veteran tactician believes the per formance demonstrated Ghana’s potential despite the absence of influential mid fielder Thomas Partey, who was unavail able because of visa issues linked to a Canadian travel ban. Brushing aside concerns over Partey’s absence, Queiroz said his team had shown enough quality to suggest they could make an impact in the tournament. had levelled, and striking the post in another dan gerous attack. The South Americans finally broke the deadlock five minutes before half-time

Queiroz praises Black Stars’ fighting spirit after tough Panama win

absorbed the pressure and struck one final blow deep into stoppage time. Substitute Jaminton Campaz sealed the victory with a well-taken header in the dying seconds, ensur ing the scoreline more accurately reflected Colombia’s superiority over the course of the contest. Colombia finished with 15 attempts on goal compared to Uzbekistan’s nine. After the match, Colombia coach Nestor Lorenzo admitted his side had been affected by the occasion and the atmos phere generated by the large Colombian contingent inside the famous sta dium. “We felt the several promising opportunities. “It is cruel,” Christiansen said. “The team deserved more from this match.” The Panama coach believed his players executed their game plan effectively and were unfortunate not to come away with at least a point. Despite the painful defeat, Christiansen refused to dwell on the setback and insisted Panama would continue fighting for qualification from a difficult group that also includes England and Croatia. “We have to keep believing and keep fighting,” he said. “There are still two games left and we will give everything.” The result leaves Ghana in a strong early position in Group L ahead of their show down with England, while Panama face an uphill battle when they take on Croatia. For Queiroz and Ghana, though, the late winner was more than just three points. It was a statement that the Black Stars, under new leadership and despite pre-tourna ment uncertainty, intend to be serious con tenders for a place in the knockout rounds. – Reuters/Agencies

The shot appeared routine, but Yusupov misjudged the bounce and allowed the ball to slip through his grasp and into the net. Uzbekistan continued to battle bravely and threatened another equaliser as they pushed numbers forward in the closing stages. Yet Colombia’s greater experience showed as they “With the football we played today, we can count on Ghana to do something,” he said. Queiroz admitted Ghana struggled to impose themselves during the first half and was unhappy with the physical approach adopted by Panama. “We were naive and not aggressive in the first half,” he said, while also criticising what he felt was rough treatment of his players throughout the match. The victory came at a cost, however, with goalkeeper Ati Zigi forced off at half time after a collision. Queiroz could not provide an immediate update on the extent of the injury ahead of Ghana’s next match against England. “Not sure,” he said when asked about Zigi’s condition. “It is early and this kind of injury it is only after 24 to 48 hours we can be sure.” While Ghana celebrated, Panama coach Thomas Christiansen was left to reflect on what he described as a cruel ending after his side matched the four-time African champions for long periods and created

Diaz dazzles for Colombia

atmosphere of the Azteca. Some players were emo tional,” Lorenzo said, while also

acknowledging that his team lost control after Uzbekistan became more aggressive in the sec

ond half.

Diaz, meanwhile, described the performance as a dream start to his first World Cup appearance after helping Colombia return to the tournament following their absence from Qatar 2022. The victory sends Colombia to the top of Group K after earlier favourites Portugal were held to a 1-1 draw by the Democratic Republic of Congo. Colombia next face DR Congo in Guadalajara, while Uzbekistan will look to bounce back against Portugal as they continue their his toric first World Cup campaign. – Reuters/Agencies Luis Diaz celebrates Colombia’s second goal during yesterday’s World Cup Group K match against Uzbekistan at Estadio Bonarte, Mexico. – REUTERSPIC